St. Justin Martyr: Common of one martyr

The Office of Readings: Prudentius

Beáte (Beáta) martyr, próspera

diem triumphálem tuum,

quo sánguinis merces tibi

coróna vincénti datur.

Hic (Hæc) te ex tenébris sæculi,

tortóre victo et iúdice,

evéxit ad cælum dies

Christóque ovántem réddidit.

Nunc angelórum párticeps

collúces insígni stola,

quam testis indomábilis

rivis cruóris láveras.

Adésto nunc et óbsecra,

placátus ut Christus suis

inclínet aurem prósperam,

noxas nec omnes ímputet.

Paulísper huc illábere

Christi favórem déferens,

sensus graváti ut séntiant

levámen indulgéntiæ.

Honor Patri cum Fílio

et Spíritu Paráclito,

qui te coróna pérpeti

cingunt in aula glóriæ. Amen.

O blessed martyr, prosper  the day of your triumph, when at the cost of your blood you were given a crown of victory. Today you entered heaven and left behind the darkness of the world, victorious over torturer and judge, returning praise to Christ. Now with the angels you wear the noble stole which in your indomitable witness you washed with your streaming blood.  Be with us now and plead that it may please Christ favorably to hear and not count against us any faults.  Shine upon here but a little while, bringing the favor of Christ that those heavy  with the sense of sin may feel the consolation of  pardon. . Honor to the Father with the Son and the Spirit Paraclete, who crowned you with an eternal crown in the courts of glory. Amen.

Lauds: 9^th Century

Martyr Dei, qui (quæ) únicum

Patris sequéndo Fílium

victis triúmphas hóstibus,

victor (victrix) fruens cæléstibus.

Tui precátus múnere

nostrum reátum dílue,

arcens mali contágium,

vitæ repéllens tædium.

Solúta sunt iam víncula

tui sacráti córporis;

nos solve vinclis sæculi

amóre Fílii Dei.

Honor Patri cum Fílio

et Spíritu Paráclito,

qui te coróna pérpeti

cingunt in aula glóriæ. Amen.

O  martyr of God, now enjoying heaven, by following the only Son of the Father, you triumphed and conquered the enemy. Through the gift of your prayers wash away our guilt, defending us from the contagion of evil and repelling the weariness of life. Now the chains that held  your holy body have been loosened; by the love of God free us from the chains of the world. Honor to the Father with the Son and the Spirit Paraclete, who crowned you with an eternal crown in the courts of glory. Amen.

Vespers: 5^th-7^th Centuries

Deus, tuórum mílitum

sors et coróna, præmium,

laudes canéntes mártyris

absólve nexu críminis.

Hic (Hæc) testis ore prótulit

quod cordis arca crédidit,

Christum sequéndo répperit

effusióne sánguinis.

Hic (Hæc) nempe mundi gáudia

et blandiménta nóxia

cadúca rite députans,

pervénit ad cæléstia.

Pœnas cucúrrit fórtiter

et sústulit viríliter;

pro te refúndens sánguinem,

ætérna dona póssidet.

Ob hoc precátu súpplici

te póscimus, piíssime;

in hoc triúmpho mártyris

dimítte noxam sérvulis.

Ut consequámur múneris

ipsíus et consórtia,

lætémur ac perénniter

iuncti polórum sédibus.

Laus et perénnis glória
tibi, Pater, cum Fílio,
Sancto simul Paráclito
in sæculórum sæcula. Amen.

God, the lot, crown and reward of your soldiers, loosen from the bounds of sin those who sing praises to this martyr. By mouth he bore witness to what he believed in treasury of his heart; When his blood was poured out, he found Christ by following him.  Indeed rightly judging the joys of the world and its dangerous flattery to be fleeting, he entered into heaven.  Bravely he meet punishment and strongly he persevered; pouring out his blood for your sake he attained eternal gifts. For this reason, O most loving God, on the triumph day of the martyr, we ask in humble supplication, drive away danger from your servants.  That we too may have a share in his graces and rejoice forever to be seated in heaven.

Dominica Pentecostes

Ad Officium lectionis: Adamus a S. Victore?

Sr. Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ,  editor and translator of Adam of Saint-Victor Sequences, accepts his authorship of this hymn ( Cf. Dallas Medieval Texts and Translations 18).  The hymn originally was assigned to Monday in the Octave of Pentecost. It is composed of stanzas 1 & 2, 15, 18, 19 & 20 of the original twenty stanzas.

Lux iucúnda, lux insígnis,

qua de throno missus ignis

in Christi discípulos,

Corda replet, linguas ditat,

ad concórdes nos invítat

cordis, linguæ módulos.

Consolátor alme, veni,

linguas rege, corda leni:

nihil fellis aut venéni

sub tua præséntia.

Nova facti creatúra,

te laudámus mente pura,

grátiæ nunc, sed natúra

prius iræ fílii.

Tu qui dator es et donum,

nostri cordis omne bonum,

cor ad laudem redde pronum,

nostræ linguæ formans sonum

in tua præcónia.

Tu nos purges a peccátis,

auctor ipse pietátis,

et in Christo renovátis

da perféctæ novitátis

plena nobis gáudia. Amen.

Happy light, noble light, fire sent down from the throne upon Christ’s disciples.  He fills hearts, enriches tongues, he invites us to harmony of heart and melodies of tongue. Nourishing Comforter, come, govern language, soothe hearts, under your presence there is nothing bitter or venomous. Made a new creation we praise you with pure minds, now sons of grace, but formerly by nature sons of wrath.  You who are both the giver and the gift, every good of our hearts, guide our hearts to humble praise, shaping  the sound of our tongues for your glory. Cleanse us from our sins, yourself the author of love and renew us in Christ: grant to us full joys in perfect conversion. Amen.

Ad Laudes matutinas: saec. VI

Milfull:  “assigned by the Canterbury Hymnal to Matins, by  the Winchester Hymnal to Lauds”.

Beáta nobis gáudia

anni redúxit órbita,

cum Spíritus Paráclitus

effúlsit in discípulos.

Ignis vibránte lúmine

linguæ figúram détulit,

verbis ut essent próflui

et caritáte férvidi.

Linguis loquúntur ómnium;

turbæ pavent gentílium,

musto madére députant,

quos Spíritus repléverat.

Patráta sunt hæc mýstice

Paschæ perácto témpore,

sacro diérum número,

quo lege fit remíssio.

Te nunc, Deus piíssime,

vultu precámur cérnuo:

illápsa nobis cælitus

largíre dona, o Spíritus.

Dudum sacráta péctora

tua replésti grátia;

dimítte nunc peccámina

et da quiéta témpora.

Blessed joys to us, the orbit of the year returns, when the Spirit Comforter shines on the disciples. Fire flashing light takes the form of a tongue, that their words might flow and their love burn. They speak every language, the crowd of gentiles quake in fear, they think those the Spirit filled to be drunk with wine. When the time of Easter had ended, these things were done mystically, by the sacred number of days when according to the law remission is given. Now, O most Holy God, we humbly pray, grant that the gifts of the Spirit may come down upon us from heaven. Now that you have filled our sanctified hearts with grace, forgive us our sins and a time of peace.

Terce: saec. IX

Previously in the Roman Breviary Veni, creator Spiritus was sung at Terce in place of Nunc, Sanctus, nobis, Spiritus on Pentecost and during its Octave. However, this hymn represents an earlier usage, e.g. the Canterbury Hymnal.  

Iam Christus astra ascénderat,

regréssus unde vénerat,

promíssa Patris múnera,

Sanctum datúrus Spíritum,

Cum hora felix tértia

repénte mundo íntonat,

Apóstolis orántibus

Deum venísse núntians.

De Patris ergo lúmine

decórus ignis almus est,

qui fida Christi péctora

calóre verbi cómpleat.

Descénde, Sancte Spíritus,

ac nostra corda altária

orna tibi virtútibus,

tibíque templa dédica.

Per te sciámus da Patrem

noscámus atque Fílium,

te utriúsque Spíritum

credámus omni témpore. Amen.

Now Christ has climbed the stars, returning to where he had come from, that he might give to us the Father’s promise of the Holy Spirit. At the third hour  suddenly the world thundered,  announcing that God had come, while the apostles prayed.  From the light of the Father there is a beautiful strengthening fire which fills the hearts which trust in Christ with the burning word.  Come down, O Holy Spirit, adorn the altar of our hearts with the virtues and make of them a temple dedicated to you.

At Sext and None the Pachaltide hymns are used, Venite, servi and Hac hora.

The hymn for Vespers is Veni, creator Spiritus used after the Ascension through Vespers II of Pentecost Sunday.

Sarum Sequence: Visitation BVM

Celebremus in hac die,
Festum domus Zachariae
Laudibus lætitiæ.

Contemplemur ibi gestum
Et de festo fiat festum
Jam domus Ecclesiae.

Thema jam solemnitatis
Copiosae caritatis

Gratia recolitur;

Quam Elisabeth beata
Senectute fecundata
Suscepisse scribitur.

Orbis totus gratuletur,
Toto corde veneretur
Dulcis visitatio,

Compassivi cordis benignitas,
Excessiva status humilitas
Sacra consolatio.

In introitu Maria:

Prolem, matrem, prophetiae
Spiritus illuminat.

Confortata genitum
Roborata debitum
Felix parens terminat.

Ergo festi hanc auctricem

Lauda Dei genitricem,

Sion, ex pnecordiis.

Quidquid dicas de beniga,
minus est a laude digna
Debitis praeconiis.

Visitatrix in montanis
Visitatrix in his planis,
Sis matris Ecclesise.

Medicina Christiana,

Quod non valet vis humana,
Fiat dono gratia:.

Benedicta mulierum,

Sidus maris, lumen verum,
Maestum consolare clerum
Populum irradia.

Benedicto ventris tui
Fructu dona nobis frui,
Sicque simus semper sui
In perenni gloria. Amen.

Let us celebrate with joyful praise on this day the feast of the house of Zechariah. Lest us ponder the deed there and that from this feast comes another feast, now in the house of the Church. The theme of this solemnity is to recall the grace of abounding love. Which blessed Elizabeth, fertile in old age, received, as it is written. The whole world rejoices and with whole heart venerates this sweet visitation. The goodness of a compassionate heart, the humility of station, holy consolation, when Mary enters, the Spirit of prophecy enlightens the child and mother, The happy mother, comforted and strengthened, gives birth to the long sought child. Therefore, O Zion, from the heart praise the Mother of God, the authority for this feast. Whatever you may say about this kind Lady, it is too little worthy praise compared to the hymns we owe her. Visitor in the hill country, be also a visitor of Mother Church in these lowlands, Through the gift of grace be medicine for Christians, which human power cannot attain; Blessed among women, Star of the Sea, true light, console the sadden clergy, shine upon the people. Blessed is the fruit of your womb, grant that we enjoy your fruitful gifts, so we may always belong to your Son, in eternal glory. Amen.

IN VISITATIONE BEATÆ MARIÆ VIRGINIS

Ad Officium lectionis: saec. XIV

Veni, præcélsa Dómina;

María, tu nos vísita,

quæ iam cognátæ dómui

tantum portásti gáudii.

Veni, iuvámen sæculi,

sordes aufer piáculi,

ac visitándo pópulum

pœnæ tolle perículum.

Veni, stella, lux márium,

infúnde pacis rádium;

rege quodcúmque dévium,

da vitam innocéntium.

Veni, precámur, vísites

nobísque vires róbores

virtúte sacri ímpetus,

ne fluctuétur ánimus.

Veni, virga regálium,

reduc fluctus errántium

ad unitátem fídei,

in qua salvántur cælici.

Veni, tecúmque Fílium

laudémus in perpétuum,

cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu,

qui nobis dent auxílium. Amen.

Come, O heavenly Lady, O Mary, visit us, who once carried such great joy to the house of your kinswoman. Come, O help of the world, remove  the evil squalor, and by visiting the people, take away the threat of punishment.  Come, O star, O light of the seas, pour out the brightness of peace, steer the wandering back to innocence of life.  Come, visit us, we pray, and strengthen us with your power, by the force of your holy virtue prevent our souls from wavering. Come, O royal scepter, lead back the wave of errors to the unity of faith, by which the saints are saved. Come, let us eternally praise you and your Son, with the Father and Holy Spirit, who are our help. Amen.

Ad Laudes matutinas: saec. XVI?

Véniens, mater ínclita,

cum Sancti dono Spíritus,

nos ut Ioánnem vísita

in huius carnis sédibus.

Procéde, portans párvulum,

ut mundus possit crédere

et tuæ laudis títulum

omnes sciant extóllere.

Salúta nunc Ecclésiam,

ut tuam vocem áudiens

exsúrgat in lætítia,

advéntum Christi séntiens.

María, levans óculos,

vide credéntes pópulos:

te quærunt piis méntibus,

his opem feres ómnibus.

O veræ spes lætítiæ,

nostræ portus misériæ,

nos iunge cæli cúriæ

ornátos stola glóriæ.

Tecum, Virgo, magníficat

ánima nostra Dóminum,

qui laude te nobílitat

et hóminum et cælitum. Amen.

Hastening, O noble mother, with the gift of the Holy Spirit, visit us in our fleshly abode as you once visited John. Go forth, carrying the little baby that the world might believe and all may know to praise your name. Greet now the Church, that hearing your voice she may rise to gladness, knowing the coming of Christ. Mary, raise your eyes, see the people who believe; they seek you with dutiful souls , you who bring help to all.  O hope of true joy,  the safe port for our misery, join us to the heavenly courts and adorn us with the robes of glory. With you, O Virgin, our souls magnify the Lord, we, who ennoble you with the praise of men and of  the heavenly hosts. Amen.

Ad Vesperas: novus

Cóncito gressu petis alta montis,

Virgo, quam matrem Deus ipse fecit,

ut seni matri studiósi amóris

  pígnora promas.

Cum salutántis capit illa vocem,

ábditus gestit puer exsilíre,

te parens dicit dóminam, salútat

  teque beátam.

Ipsa prædícis fore te beátam

Spíritu fervens pénitus loquénte,

ac Deum cantu célebras amœno

  magna operántem.

Teque felícem pópuli per orbem

semper, o mater, récitant ovántes

atque te credunt Dómini favórum

  esse minístram.

Quæ, ferens Christum, nova semper affers

dona, tu nobis fer opes salútis,

qui pie tecum Tríadem supérnam

  magnificámus. Amen.

Quickly you search out the hill country, O Virgin, whom God has made a mother, anxious to relate to the older mother the pledge of love. When she hears the voice of  your greeting, the boy hiding in her womb eagerly leaps, calls you lady and greeting you as blessed. She foretells that you will be blessed,  the fiery Spirit speaking to her inwardly and you celebrate with a pleasing canticle the One who does great things.  The people throughout the world greet you and proclaim you happy, O Mother, and believe that you serve in the favor of the Lord. You, bearing Christ, ever bring new gifts, advancing the work of salvation for us, who with you lovingly magnify the heavenly Trinity. Amen.